Roll-winding apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material includes first and second spaced parallel sets of supply rollers, for supporting the supply of rolled material therebetween and first and second spaced parallel sets of take-up rollers for supporting a roll of material unwound from the supply. The rollers of each set are fixed on one of four elongated shafts rotatably supported on a frame. Guide means, mounted between the supply and take up rollers, are elevated a sufficient distance above the take-up rollers to prevent any tendency of the material taken up to unwind and avoids the necessity of employing a material holddown means at the take-up rollers. First and second driving motors drive the supply and take-up rollers in synchronism to pay off material from the supply over the guide means and take-up the rewound material at a constant linear speed. The motors may be controlled individually or jointly. A footage counter driven by a wheel in contact with the unwound material as it passes between the supply rollers and the take-up rollers, measures the desired length of material to be unwound from the supply. When a predetermined amount of material has been unwound from the supply, a motor-driven cutter, mounted for rectilinear movement in a track aligned transversely with respect to the path of the unwound material, is actuated to sever the material taken-up from the supply.

Nov. 4, 1975 United States Patent 11 1 Malone ROLL-WINDING APPARATUS [76] Inventor:

ply of rolled material therebetween and first and sec- Fermer Malone, 923 Bow Cmek ond spaced parallel sets of take-up rollers for support- Duncanvme Tex 75116 mg a roll of material unwound from the supply. The

rollers of each set are fixed on one of four elongated P 1974 shafts rotatably supported on a frame. Guide means,

[22] Filed:

21 A l N .2 461 998 mounted between the supply and take up rollers, are 1 pp 0 elevated a sufficient distance above the take-up rollers to prevent any tendency of the material taken up to unwind and avoids the necessity of employing a material holddown means at the take-up rollers. First and second driving motors drive the supply and take-up rollers in synchronism to pay ofi' material from the supply over the guide means and take-up the rewound 300 3 .m m nm wa k MMQM .9 0 2 N R4 H96 2 5 an M 5 .m 2 4 m 2 m um L C WM .m. U.mF fin ed 555 [[[L ncw Cited material at a constant linear speed. The motors may UNITED STATES PATENTS be controlled individually or jointly. A footage 3,386,678 6/1968 242/56 R counter by a wheel in Contact will the 3,537,662 11/1970 Kegsling et 242/56 R Wound mateflal as it Passes between the pp y rollers and the take-up rollers, measures the desired length of material to be unwound from the supply. When a predetermined amount of material has been unwound from the supply, a motor-driven cutter, mounted for rectilinear movement in a track aligned transversely with respect to the path of the unwound material, is

actuated to sever the material taken-up from the sup- P y- 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Thomas Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney, Agent, or Firm.loseph H. Schley;

L. Cantrell [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound matenal includes first and second spaced parallel sets of supply rollers, for supporting the sup- US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of 3 ISI I/II III/1,147

U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,917,183

lrl

ROLL-WINDING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to roll winding apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus for unwinding a measured length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material.

2. Technical Considerations and Prior Art US. Pat. No. 3,386,678 to F. A. Malone (hereinafter, Malone 678), which is specifically incorporated by reference herein, discloses a roll winding apparatus including a pair of elongated rollers mounted on a pivotal carriage for rotatably supporting a supply of rolled material, for example, linoleum, to facilitate the unwinding thereof, and first and second sets of spaced rollers for receiving and supporting the unwound material therebetween to take-up the unwound material. The take-up rollers are driven unidirectionally to unwind a predetermined amount of the supply of rolled material and to wind the material upon itself or a suitable tubular core into a roll while the length of the unrolled material is measured. The rewound material is held in engagement with the take-up rollers during rewinding by a retractable holddown device.

The second set of take-up rollers are slightly elevated. As the take-up rollers are driven, the rolled material is unwound from the supply and passed over a plurality of coaxial spaced rotatably mounted guide rollers which guide the unwound material onto the takeup rollers.

The uppermost portions of the guide rollers are disposed at a lower elevation than the uppermost portions of the take-up rollers. If the material being unwound has a relatively high degree of stiffness, as, for example, linoleum, the set of take-up rollers nearest the guide roller over which the material is advanced causes portions of the material on either of the first set of take-up rollers to bend slightly downward. Therefore, a holddown device was necessary to prevent the material from unwinding while supported on the take-up rollers.

It has been discovered that if the material is delivered onto the take-up rollers from a point elevated with respect thereto such that the material is fed between the take-up rollers tangent to a point on the first set of take-up rollers which is lower than the uppermost portions of the first set of take-up rollers, without contacting the uppermost portions of the first set of take-up rollers, no holddown device is required.

It has further been determined that larger material supplies may be unwound and rewound quickly and efficiently if the supply is supported on rollers similar to the take-up rollers and both the supply rollers and the take-up rollers are driven at a constant speed. Driving both the supply rollers and the take-up rollers greatly facilitates the unwinding of material from larger rolls thereof, for example, rolls which may be 12 feet or more in axial length and containing several hundred feet of material.

Additionally, the cutting means shown in Malone 678 included an elongated saw blade which was reciprocably driven by a motor through a crank arm. It has also been determined that a cutter mounted for rectilinear movement transversely of the path of the material and provided with back-to-back removeable blades, can sever the material between the supply and the take-up roll more efficiently by driving the cutter 2 from a position on one side of the material to a position on the other side of material in a rectilinear path transverse to the direction of movement of the material between the rolls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material, wherein a holddown means for the unwound material being rolled is unnecessary.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material wherein large, heavy rolls of material may be accommodated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound mate rial, wherein both the supply and the unwound material being rolled are driven positively and in synchronism at a constant speed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling said unwound material wherein the predetermined .length of the material may be severed from the supply utilizing a cutter capable of severing the material along a linear path transverse to the path of the material between the rolls from one edge of the material to the other and vice-versa.

An apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of roller material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, may include first and second sets of supply rollers for rotatably supporting the supply of rolled material therebetween, first and second sets of take-up rollers, spaced from the supply rollers for rotatably supporting the rolled material unwound from the supply therebetween, means for driving the take-up rollers to roll the unwound material; and guide means, interposed between the supply rollers and the take-up rollers, for guiding the unwound material from the supply rollers and between the take-up rollers and elevated a sufficient distance above the first set of take-up rollers to prevent the unwound material from contacting the first set of take-up rollers until the material has passed over their uppermost portions to prevent any tendency of the material to unwind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A complete understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll winding apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the roll winding apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 2; and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a roll winding apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material 11 (FIG. 3) from a supply 12 thereof and rolling the unwound material into a roll 13. The material 11 may be, for example, linoleum or the like, characterized by a high degree of stiffness whereby the material 11 has the tendency to retain a curled or rolled shape when it is removed from the supply roll 12.

The apparatus 10 includes an upper frame member 16 having a plurality of spaced supporting legs 17-17 depending therefrom and an intermediate frame member 18 secured to the legs 17-17 in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper frame member 16. A plurality of supply or payoff rollers 21-21, for supporting the supply roll 12 therebetween, are supported in aligned, spaced relationship on first and second parallel shafts 22 and 23 to which the rollers 21-21 are keyed.

The shafts 22 and 23 are journaled at their opposite ends in two pairs of pillow blocks 26-26 and 27-27, respectively, secured to a pair of end braces 28-28 of the upper frame member 16. Similarly, a plurality of take-up rollers 31-31 for supporting the roll 13 therebetween, are supported in aligned, spaced relationship on two shafts 32 and 33 to which the rollers 31-31 are keyed. The shafts 32 and 33 are joumaled at their opposite ends in two pairs of pillow blocks 36-36 and 3737, respectively. The pillow blocks 36-36 are secured directly to the end braces 28-28 of the frame member 16, while the pillow blocks 37-37 are secured to the end braces 28-28 through a pair of spacers 38-38. The spacers 38-38 elevate the set of take-up rollers 31-31 secured to the shaft 33 above the set of take-up rollers 31-31 secured to the shaft 32 and the supply rollers 21-21. This arrangement is similar to that disclosed in Malone 678.

The two sets of supply rollers 21-21 are driven by a first motor 40 having an output shaft 41 coupled to a first speed reducer 42, both mounted on a plate 43 secured between an end brace 46 and a cross brace 47 of the intermediate frame member 18. An output shaft 48 of the speed reducer 42 is provided with first and second spaced drive pulleys 49 and 50 (FIG. 2). The pulley 49 is driveably connected to a pulley 51 keyed to the shaft 22, through a timing belt 52. Similarly, the pulley 50 is driveably connected to a pulley 53 keyed to the shaft 23, through a timing belt 56.

The take-up rollers 31-31 are driven by a second motor 57 having an output shaft 58 coupled to a second speed 59 speed reducer mounted on a plate 60 secured between the end brace 46 and the cross brace 47. An Output shaft 61 of the speed reducer 59 is provided with first and second spaced drive pulleys 62 and 63. The pulley 62 is driveably connected to a pulley 66, keyed to the shaft 32, through a timing belt 67. Similarly, the pulley 63 is driveably connected to a pulley 68 keyed to the shaft 33, through a timing belt 71.

A guide means 72, which may be, for example, a plurality of rollers, but is preferably a single continuous roller, is rotatably supported in an elevated position between the supply rollers 21-21 and the take-up rollers 31-31 between a pair of brackets 73-73 secured to the end braces 28-28 of the upper frame member 16.

4 The guide roller 72 serves to guide the unwound material 11 advanced from the supply roll 12 between the take-up rollers 31-31. The elevation of the guide roller 72 with respect to the first set of take-up rollers 31-31 mounted on shaft 32 permits the material 11 initially to engage the first set of take-up rollers 31-31 at a point tangent to the first set of rollers 3l-31and between the sets of take-uprollers, below the uppermost portion of the first set of rollers 31-31. This arrangement avoids the possibility that the weight or stiffness of the material between the guide roller 72 and the first set of take-up rollers 31-will act as a lever, with the uppermost portions of the first set of take-up rollers 31-31 acting as a fulcrum such as to prevent the material 11 from winding upon itself when it is supported where the uppermost portion of the guide is lower than the uppermost portions of the first set of take-up rol-: lers. Thus, the elevation of the guide roller 72 permits the material 11 be rolled itself as shown at 13 between the two sets of take-up rollers 31-31 without the necessity of providing a complex holddown mechanism of the type disclosed in Malone 678 where the material being guided onto the take-up rollers had to advance up and over the first set of take-up rollers and thus had the tendency to unwind.

In the present apparatus the guide roller 72 iselevated so that its uppermost portion lies in a plane elevated from the plane in which the uppermost portions of the first set take-up rollers 31-31 are situated. Any tendency of material 11 to recurve around the guide roller is thus avoided.

A cutter 77 is mounted for movement rectilinearly in two opposite directions in a slot 78 formed in an elongated enclosure 81 supported on a longitudinal center brace 82 of the upper frame member 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter 77 includes a trapezoidal mounting plate 83 depending from which is a support plate 84 attached to a clamping means 86 through which the cutter 77 is attached to an endless carrier 87 which may be a belt or chain.

First and second oppositely facing cutting blades 88 and 91 are mounted in the cutter 77 by a clamping:

plate 92 disposed over a threaded stud 93. The clamping plate 92 is held in place on the mounting plate 83 by a wing nut 94 threaded onto the stud 93.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cutter driving motor 97 has an output shaft 98 upon which is mounted a pulley or sprocket 101 around which the endless carrier 87 is trained. The carrier 87 passes upwardly through an aperture 102 formed in the underside of the enclosure 81, partially around a guide sheave 103 rotatably mounted on a shaft 106 supported within the enclosure 81, and

around a pair of guide sheaves 107 and 108 spaced at opposite ends within the enclosure 81 and rotatably mounted on shafts 111 and 112, respectively, supported within the enclosure 81. The carrier 87 is there after passed partially around a guide sheave 113 81 and outwardly through the aperture 102 and around 1 the pulley 101 on the output shaft 98 of the motor 97. When the motors 40 and 57 are not energized and the motor 97 is energized driving the output shaft 98 1 thereof, the cutter 77 is moved along the path of the slot 78 formed in the enclosure 81 in a direction transverse to the direction in which the material 11 was advanced. The height of the blades 88 and 91 is such that the cutting edges thereof, are aligned with the material 11 such that the material may be severed transversely either by the blade 88 when the cutter 77 moves from a position at the extreme right of the slot 78 to a position on the extreme left thereof, or by the blade 91 when the cutter moves from a position at the extreme left of the slot 78 to a position on the extreme right thereof. The cutter 77 is not actuated until the motors 40 and 57 are de-energized. This occurs when a predetermined length of the material 11 is rewound onto the roll 13 from the roll 12.

The mounting plate 83 is preferably disposed at an angle to the plate 84 such that the blades 88 and 91 cut the material 11 in an oblique plane. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the blades 88 and 91 are disposed at a predetermined angle to avoid tearing the material 1 1.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified electrical schematic diagram of the control system for the apparatus 10. Each of the motors 40 and 57 is preferably a fractional horsepower A.C induction motor provided with forward and reverse inputs 116 and 117 and a common input 118 respectively. When electrical driving potential is applied between the forward input 116 and the common input 118 of either motor 40 or 57 the motor is driven in a forward direction, driving the rollers 21-21 or 31-31 clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 3 to advance the material 11 from the supply roll 12 to the take-up roll 13.

Whenthe driving potential is applied between the reverse input 117 and the common input 118 of either motor 40 or 57, the motor is driven in a reverse direction to'drive the rollers 21-21 or 31-31 counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 and 3, to advance the material 11 from the take-up roll 13 to the supply roll 12.

The forward input 116 of the motor 40 is connected to a line 121 through a normally-open contact 122 of a push-button switch 123 and normally-closed contacts 126 and 127 of a pair of push-button switches 128 and 129. The reverse input 117 of motor 40 is connected to the line 121 through a pair of normally-closed contacts 130 and 131 of the push-button switches 123 and 129, respectively, and a normally-open contact 132 of the push-button switch 128.

The common input 118 of the motor 40 is connected to a line 133 through a contact 134 of the push-button switch 129. The lines 121 and 133 are connected to a pair of terminals 135 and 136 through first and second normally-open contacts 137 and 138, respectively, of a relay 141 connected between the terminals 135 and 136 through a foot-pedal switch 142.

Similarly, the forward input 116 of the motor 57 is connected to a line 143 through a normally-open contact 144 of a push-button switch 145 and a pair of normally-closed contacts 146 and 147 of a pair of pushbutton switches 148 and 149, respectively. The reverse input 117 of the motor 57 is connected to the line 143 through a normally-open contact 151 of the push-button switch 148 and a pair of normally-closed contacts 152 and 153 of the push-button switches 145 and 149, respectively. The common input 118 of the motor 57 is connected to a line 154 through a normally-closed contact 156 of the push-button switch 149.

The lines 143 and154 are connected to the terminals 135 and 136 through a pair of contacts 157 and 158, respectively, of a relay 161 which is connectedacross the terminals 135 and 136. through afoot-pedal switch 162.

A relay 163 is connected across the terminals 135 and 136 through a control switch 164. The forward, reverse and common inputs 116, 117 and 118 of the motors 40 and 57 are connected, respectively, through three normally-open contacts 166, 167 and 168 of the relay 163. A source of electrical energy, for example, a v, 60hz. source of alternating current, is connected to a pair of terminals 169 and 171. The terminal 169 is connected to the terminal through a power switch 172, while the terminal 171 is directly connected to the terminal 136.

When the power switch 172 is closed the terminals 135 and 136 are energized. This permits the motors 40 and 57 to be controlled individually or jointly by a single operator if the switch 164 is closed.

If the power-switch 172 is closed and the control switch 164 is open, the motor 40 may be controlled individually by selectively actuating either of the switches 123 or 128 to condition the motor 40 for either forward or reverse operation and thereafter actuating the footpedal switch-142, connecting the relay 141 across the terminals 135 and 136 to energize the relay 141, closing the contacts 137 and 138 thereof, to energize the lines 121 and 133, respectively. If the switch 122 is closed, energy will be supplied to the forward input 116, of the motor 40 through contacts 122, 126 and 127, and to the common input 118 through contact 134, to drive the motor 40 in a forward direction, driving the rollers 2'1-21 clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 3.

If switch 128 is closed the actuation of the foot-pedal switch 142 will cause the inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 40 to be energized through the contacts 130, 131, 132 and 134, driving the rollers 21-21 in the reverse or counter-clockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 3. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the contacts 130 and 126 of the switches 123 and 128, respectively, act as lock-out contacts for the forward and reverse inputs 116 and 117 of the motor 40 to prevent simultaneous actuation of the switches 123 and 128 from having any effect.

Simialrly, the switch or 148 may be selectively closed to condition the motor 57 for forward or reverse operation upon the actuation of the foot pedal switch 162, which energizes the relay 161 closing the normally-open contacts 157 and 158 thereof, to energize the lines 143 and 154.

If the switch 145 is closed when the foot pedal switch 162 is actuated the inputs 1 16 and 118 of the motor 57 are energized through the contacts 144, 146, 147 and 156 to drive the take-up rollers 31-31 in the forward direction, clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Similarly, if the switch 148 is closed when the foot pedal switch 162 is actuated, inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 57 will be energized through the contacts 151, 152, 153 and 156 to drive the motor 57 in a reverse direction driving the rollers 31-31 counter-clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

If it is desired to stop either the motor 40 or 57 it is merely necessary to depress either the push-button switch 129 or the push-button switch 149. Actuation of the switch 129 disconnects the lines 121 and 133 from the inputs 116, 117 and 118 of the motor 40 such that even if the foot-pedal switch 142 is closed the motor 40 is de-energized. Similarly, actuation of the push-button switch 149 disconnects the lines 143 and 154 from the inputs 116, 117 and 118 of the motor 57 to de-energize the motor 57 even when the foot-pedal switch 162 is I closed.

7 The switches 123, 128 and 129 and the switches 145, 148 and 149 may be housed in two enclosures 181 and 182, respectively, positioned on either side of the apparatus 10, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, on the supporting legs 17. The operating switches for each motor may be of types other than push-buttons, for example, cam-operated type switches actuated by a lever or the like.

When the control switch 164 is closed the relay 163 is energized, closing the contacts 166, 167 and 168 thereof to connect the forward, reverse and common inputs 116, 117 and 118 of the motor 40 to the forward, reverse and common inputs 116, 1 17 and 118 of the motor 57, respectively. This permits the motors 40 and 57 to be operated in synchronism by a single operator located on either side of the apparatus 10. Thus, for

example, an operator on the left side of the apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 3 can operate both the motors 40 and 57 to drive the rollers 21-21 and 31-31 clockwise by actuating push-button switch 123, conditioning the motors 40 and 57 for operation in the forward di-.

rection when the foot-pedal switch 142 is actuated, energizing the relay 141 to close the contacts 137 and 138 thereof to energize the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 40 directly and to energize the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 57 through the relay contacts 167 and 168, respectively. Similarly, when the switch 128 ,is closed, the inputs 1 17 and 118 of the motor 41 are energized in the normal manner, while inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 57 are energized through the relay contacts 166 and 168.

'It can be seen from FIG. 5 that an operator on the right side of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 could operate both of the motors 41 and 57 by the operation of push-button switches 145 or 148 and the actuation of the foot pedal switch 162. If the switch 145 is closed, actuation of the foot-pedal switch 162 energizes the relay 161 to close the contacts 157 and 158 thereof, energizing the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 57 directly and energizing the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 41 through the contacts 167 and 168, respectively. Similarly, if the switch 147 is closed, upon the actuation of the foot-pedal switch 162, the inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 57 are energized in the normal manner, while the inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 41 are energized through the relay contacts 166 and 168, respectively.

The control switch 163 may be placed on the framework of the apparatus 10 at any place convenient to both operators or may be placed below the enclosure 181 or 182 on either side of the apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 3.

As disclosed in Malone 678, a footage counter 186 driven by a wheel 187 (FIG. 3 only) in contact with the material 11 fed from the supply roll 12 to the take-up roll 13' maybe provided in order to determine the precise length of material 11 taken up.

In operation, the supply roll 12 is supported longitudinally between the supply rollers 212l, with its axis parallel to the axis of the supply rollers 2121. The leading end of the material 11 on the supply roll 12 is passed over the guide roller 72 and is advanced downwardly between the two sets of take-up rollers 31-31. The supply roll 12 may be placed on the supply rollers 21-21 by an automatic apparatus or through a suitable mechanical conveyor, for example, a forklift truck or the like. The material unwound from the supply roll 12 and rewound on the take up roll 13 may be rewound 8 on a suitable tubular core, as taught in Malone 678, or the material 11 may be rewound upon itself into the roll 13.

nals and 136 from the energy source appearing at the terminals 169 and 171. The control switch 164 is closed to energize the relay 163, closing the contacts the normal manner and the motor 57 through the contacts 167 and 168 of the relay 163, or the relay 161, closing the contacts 157 and 158 thereof to energize the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 57 in the normal manner and the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 40 through the contacts 167 and 168 of the relay 163.

The material 11 isadvanced from the supply roll '12 to the take-up roll 13 until a predetermined amount thereof, as indicated by the counter 186, has been rewound. Thereafter, the operated one of the foot-pedal switches 142 or 162 is released to de-energize the relay 141 or 161, opening the contacts 137 and 138 or 157 and 158, respectively, thereof, to de-energize the mo tors 40 and 57. The cutter drive motor 97 is then actuated to move the cutter 77 longitudinally from a position on one side of the apparatus10 to a position on the other side thereof, severing the material 1 1 transversely of the direction in which it was advanced. Thereafter, the switch 164 may be opened to de-energize the relay 163 opening the contacts 166, 167 and 168 thereof, to

condition the control circuit of FIG. 5 for the individual 1 operation of the motors 40 and 57. If the foot-pedal.

switch 162 is closed to actuate the relay 161 closing the contacts 157 and 158 energizing. the inputs 116 and 118 of the motor 57, which is still conditioned for forward operation, the trailing edge of the material 11 between the rewound roll 13 and the cutter 77 will be taken up so that the predetermined amount of the material 11 is completely wound upon take-up roll 13. The roll 13 is then removed and may be stored or shipped as desired.

Though it is preferable to utilize both drive motors 40 and 57 to unwind and rewind the material 11, it will be appreciated that the motor 40 and the drive elements ferent supply roll, the leading edge of the material 11 between the supply roll 12 and the cutter 77 may be rewound back on the supply roll 12 closing the switch 128 and actuating the foot-pedal switch 142 to energize the relay 141, closing the contacts 137 and 138 thereof, to energize the inputs 117 and 118 of the motor 40 drivingthe motor 40 in the reverse direction to rotate the supply rollers 21-21 clockwise as shownin FIGS.

l and 3until'th'e leading edge of the material 11 between the supply roll 12 and the cutter 77 has been rewound back upon the supply roll 12. Thereafter, the

The power switch 172 is closed to energize the termi- 1 9 supply 12 may be removed and replaced with a supply roll 12 of another material or a material having a different design or the like.

To aid in the removal of the supply roll 12 or the take-up roll 13, the apparatus may be advantageously provided with lifting or elevator mechanisms (not shown) of a type similar to the type shown and described in Malone 678.

While the operation apparatus of the invention has been described in foregoing detailed description as being suitable for unwinding and rolling predetermined lengths of linoleum, it will be appreciated that the apparatus is suitable for use with other materials which are wound in a similar manner and that various changes and other modifications can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material, which comprises:

first and second sets of parallel horizontal supply rollers for rotatably supporting the supply of rolled material therebetween;

first and second sets of parallel horizontal take-up rollers, parallel to and spaced first and second distances, respectively, away from said supply rollers, for rotatably supporting the unwound material therebetween;

means spacing said second set of take-up rollers above said first set of take-up rollers;

an elongated guide roller means, parallel to and inter posed between said supply rollers and said take-up rollers and adjacent to said first set of take-up rollers for guiding the unwound material onto said take-up rollers;

means supporting said guide roller means a sufficient distance above said supply rollers and said take-up rollersto prevent the unwound material from contacting said first set of take-up rollers until the material has passed over the uppermost portions of said first set of take-up rollers, to prevent any tendency of the material to unwind itself; and

means for driving said take-up rollers to roll said unwound material.

2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1 and including:

cutter means comprising a support, means for mounting a pair of blades on said support in aligned relationship with the cutting edges thereof facing opposite directions;

means mounting said cutter for rectilinear movement in said opposite directions along a path between said supply rollers and said elongated guide roller means adjacent and parallel to said guide roller means and transverse to the direction in which the material is unwound; and

means for selectively driving said cutter in said oppo site directions along said path to sever the unwound material from the supply in either direction.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the axes of said supply rollers and said first set of take-up rollers lie in a common horizontal plane.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said blades is mounted at a predetermined angle. 

1. An apparatus for unwinding a predetermined length of rolled material from a supply thereof and rolling the unwound material, which comprises: first and second sets of parallel horizontal supply rollers for rotatably supporting the supply of rolled material therebetween; first and second sets of parallel horizontal take-up rollers, parallel to and spaced first and second distances, respectively, away from said supply rollers, for rotatably supporting the unwound material therebetween; means spacing said second set of take-up rollers above said first set of take-up rollers; an elongated guide roller means, parallel to and interposed between said supply rollers and said take-up rollers and adjacent to said first set of take-up rollers for guiding the unwound material onto said take-up rollers; means supporting said guide roller means a sufficient distance above said supply rollers and said take-up rollers to prevent the unwound material from contacting said first set of take-up rollers until the material has passed over the uppermost portions of said first set of take-up rollers, to prevent any tendency of the material to unwind itself; and means for driving said take-up rollers to roll said unwound material.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including: cutter means comprising a support, means for mounting a pair of blades on said support in aligned relationship with the cutting edGes thereof facing opposite directions; means mounting said cutter for rectilinear movement in said opposite directions along a path between said supply rollers and said elongated guide roller means adjacent and parallel to said guide roller means and transverse to the direction in which the material is unwound; and means for selectively driving said cutter in said opposite directions along said path to sever the unwound material from the supply in either direction.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the axes of said supply rollers and said first set of take-up rollers lie in a common horizontal plane.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said blades is mounted at a predetermined angle. 